New to this site have I got OCD

[josie]

Hi Everyone,
It has taken me alot of courage to register on this site. After an arguement with my daughter this morning I realise that I have a problem. I have become obsessed with cleaning certain parts of the house. It has got to the point where if someone is in the kitchen I will make a point of checking to see if it is clean and tidy. My family at first have made jokes and now things are affecting them. I continually have a cloth, hoover or mop in my hand. My husband has said that I am old before my time and that I need to chill more. I won't allow myself to do anything that I consider to be dangerous, such as going on fair rides and other sports.

Please help me understand what is wrong with me, I am 50 years old with 3 grown-up children. What should I do? I don't want to look silly by going to my GP or wasting his time.

[dino]

Hiya josie

Firstly i would like to apologise on the non response to your post normally i am always here to welcome newbies etc but without going into my own details lets just say having a real bad time here myself atm

I will however try my best here to explain to you that although i have never formally been diagnosed with OCD just about everything you have written above i did on a constant basis daily for months if not years

Back then i thought i was just being one of those people that just craved my house etc to always be so spotless no one could ever say i was untidy but on hindsight looking back i was ott i mean i even used to hoover my garden yes you read that right we have tar tiles put down for our severally handicapped son and just one bit of harling off the wall etc id get all worked up ,cushions had to sit at a certain angle i would clean non stop morning to night even though ppl would say to me please stop your house etc is lovely but maybe deep in my mind i craved perfection god knows i just wish on hindsight id maybe back then seeked help but i thought i did not need it

Now today im here totally housebound over three years with severe agoraphobia, anxiety, non stop panic tbh i wonder did all that years ago wear myself out

Please do not be put off here by the lack of replies i will be doing a post shortly to actually highlight the disgust not only me but a few others have on people here being ignored as of late it is just not on :roll:

There is also a chat room where we have a few members that suffer OCD please also do not be afraid to explain your symptoms to your gp as he may hopefully get you the proper help to nip this in the bud before like my story it gets out hand

I wish you all the very best and please do not be put off by lack of responses some days the forum is not busy and that may be another reason for slow replies

We are a friendly bunch here once you get to know us this place has been a godsend to me without it i swear i would not know what id of done

love dino
xxxxx

[josie]

Thanks alot Dino for your reply, that was really kind of you. My obssessive behaviour is not that bad at the moment but I have def got worse. It is just certain rooms like the kitchen, and the lounge that I can't leave. I hate to see crumbs on the work top or dirt on the floor. My family have started making fun of me, not out of badness but they mimick me with the dish cloth continually wiping the work tops. I know that I am making their lives in their own home difficult. I don't like people entering the house with shoes on. I know at 50 its not a good time of life for any woman, but is that an excuse or could it be a contributory factor? I also feel really guilty because there are people out there who have far more serious things in their lives to worry about, and mine is just trivia in comparison.

Like you I feel worn out and I am sorry that you have other problems to cope with, its good to share experiences.